Improvement in



.l. STEWART &. W. CAMPBELL. Y I Apple-Faring, Goring, and Slicing-Machines;- No. 140,315.'

Patented June 24,1873,

' To all whom z'tmay concern: I

Be it known that we, JOHN STEWART and WILL CAMPBELL, of Fowler, Adams county, Illinois, have invented certain new and useful 'ing, Goring, and Dividing Apples and other Fruit, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the acconi ianying drawings.

- The invention relates to a device for paring, slicing, coring, and dividing apples or other fruit or vegetables, b'eing peculiarly adapted to all fruits having a bow or otherwise of the sists, first, in providing the said device with y a paring-knife, so operated as to remove the skin of the fruit from all parts thereof outside of the parts opera-ted upon by the coring-knite; second, in conjunction with said paring-knile, providing a convex anti-friction roller, to prevent any friction upon the device by the fruit when being operated upon; third, in providing the arm upon which said paring-knife is mounted with the segment of a coggcd guideor flattened sphere, so formed as to enable the .said paring-knife to operate upon a line describing one-half.of the periphery of the ver- =tical central plane of an ordinary-shaped ap- 1 pie; vfourth, in providing said segmental cog with a yielding ratchet, to assistcthe rotation of the cog and the preservation of' an-even pressure of the paring-knife upon thefruit;

jifth,- in providing said device with a coringknife, which is so arranged'that its cutting a edge comes in contact with the parts of the f fruit about the corewitha draw-cut; sixth, in

providing said device witha double-spiral fork for securely holding the fruit. q

7 Figure 1 is a plan view of a device embodyingflour invention. Fig. 2 is a front'view of the same. Fig.3 is a section on the line a.

Figs. 4 and 5, views of the divider. 'Fig. dis; a perspective of the coring and slicingmech anism.

A in the accompanying drawings is a lip or shelf, provided at each end with the screw- ;elamps a. Above the lip A a suitable distance is the platform B, between which-and the lip "which the device may be firmly secured by 'the clamps a, the lip A and platform being I UNITED S ATE Improvements in Machines for Iaring, She-- proper consistency about the center; and con- A passes the edge of ;the table or bench to PATENT omen :JOHN s'rnwAa'r AND WILL CAMPBELL, OF rowtnn, ILLINOIS. i; IMPROVEMENT IN APPLE PARING, coRmc, ANp sucme MACHINES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 140.3l6, dated June 24, 1873 appication filed May 13, 1873. Y

connected by the -facing A. The device is provided at oneend'with the plate I), at about. i

of the arm, where it is provided with a thread lilting into a threaded aperture in the head of the double-spiral fork 1*),consisting of a head, k, rounded on each side and serving as the base of the tines l, which vanish into its outer surface. The tines l form a double-spiral fork, their extremities being pointed and inclined outward, the diameter of the fork E being the same from end to end, and somewhat less than the greatest diameter of the core ot an ordinary-sized apple. The "pinion c is rigidly secured upon one extremity of an 'axle' at one end of the traveling screw F, which extends from its. bearing in the base of the plate 0 parallel to and a proper distance below the fork E, to the plate on at the opposite side of the device, where it is also provided with an axle andbearings. Opposite and parallel to the traveling screw F are provided the guides n and o, the latter being nearer the screw,

,ande'ach separated from the other a proper distance and secured firmlyat' their ends in the plates b and m. The rod 0 passes through the'ears 12, secured to the lower side of the platform q, somewhat in front of and below their vertical center, the front sides of the ears p being reduced, andprovided with a concave groove, 1', the curve of which tits over the shaft of the screw F. At the end of the plat form q, opposite the plate m, is provided the plate 8, to the side of which, towards the plate 112, is secured the slicing-knife H, the

edge of which stands at right angles to the horizontal'diameter of the fork E, when in juxtaposition, and in such relation thereto that, when in the operation of slicing, the slicing-kuite H is passing the fork E the up: per end of the edge of the knife is in close proximity to and below the fork. To the in shape having its cutting-side edge properly inclined, and both side edges coming to a pointcoimzidentwiththeupperextremityof the cutting-m'zgoof the slicing-knife H. By this arrangement of the coring-knife I the material clmiing in contact with its cutting-edge receives a draw-cut-that is, no two points of this edge, when cutting, bear upon the material bcin g operated upon in the same plane. When in operation, the coring-knife I is in proper proximity to and partially incloses the fork E. On the side of the plate s, opposite that on which the knife II is secured, is provided the guide-hook K, the shank of which is pivoted to the plate s, the hook, when in operation, passing over the guide 0, being pressed thereon by the spring t, while a stud, u, upon the otherside of the shank passes into a notch in the upper edge of the plate 8, thus preventing the hook swinging too far downward. Atthe other end of the platform q is provided the raised hollow seat L, which is furnished on its side adjacent the plate swith the projectin g shoulder 22. To one side of the interior of the seat is secured one end of a helical or coiled spring, 20, the other end of which is attached to the round stud w, on the base of the cogged-guide M, about which stud the spring w is coiled, thus giving the stud w and its attachments a rotary bearin g from front to rear when the spring is contracted, the movement thus produced being checked by the study coming incontact with the shoulder v. The

pivotz passes vertically through the central portions of the cogged guide M, is secured rigidly in a'vertical portion by a screw at its lower end, which enters a threaded aperture inthe center of the seat L, thus serving as a fixed axle for the cogged guide'M to rotate upon. A shoulder being provided on the pivot, which projects below the under surface of the stud w, prevents that element coming in contact with the sea-t L when the cogged guide- M is rotated. The studm comes in close relation to the surface of the seat L, and being of less diameter than the seat, there is thusformed a chamber between the stud and sides of the seat, in which the spring to can relax. The base of the cogged guide M is properly reduced, to allow it to enter and revolve in the'interior of the seat L, above which reduced parts the front portion of the cog is provided with the teeth N, of proper constructiona pointed form preferred-arranged in the form,

of an elongated or flattened arch, the curve of the center ofwhich is flatter than the curves at the ends, the general outline of the teeth'as arranged being similar to one-half of the periphcry of the vertical central plane of an apple of ordinary shape-that is, the periphery of the curved portion of aliemisphere flattened as its 'sides and curving at its poles toward its vertical axis; the above-described form being used in the present instance as especially adapted to apples, but other arrangements of the teeth N,

may be readily made to conform to the shape of the fruit to be operated upon. The rear portion of the cogged guide M is somewhat reduced'in width, and provided with the arms 0, at the junction of one of which with the main portion of the cog, and on the under side thereof, is placed the stud y, the point of which is in close relation. to-the platform q ad jacent the exterior of the seat L, and comes in contact withthe shoulder 'v preventing too great movement of the cogged guide M, when Iotated by the action of the spring w,'and serving also to retain the cog in its initialposition. The extremities of the arms 0 are connected by the bar 1, provided atits center with the vertical standard R, about the rear of the base of which passes the center of the spiral spring S, the remainder whereof is coiled on the bar 1, on

each side of the standard, thus giving it pressure from the two sections of the spring, and

a bearing toward that portion of the device upon which the fork E is attached, the, standard being provided with the supporting-arm T projecting downward and backward, sustained by the adjustable rest U, and preventing the standard being forced too far downward by the elevation or depression of which: rest the'bearing or pressure of the knife Z and roller W upon the fruit may be regulated. The upper end of the standard It, is enlarged into a concavo-convex head V, the portion of which containing the knife faces outward, at an angle of about forty-five (45) to the axis of the forkE, its horizontal center being somewhat below the corresponding plane of the axis of the fork. This is the initial posit-ion of the head V. The-central portions of the head V are removed, and the head'provided with the anti-friction roller W, so mounted upon the axle X that its bearing-surface is in the same curve as the lowerconvex portion of the head V. A recess is provided in the face of the head Vabove the roller W, into which is fitted the" .opposite those parts operated upon by the coring-knife I. The platform B is provided at the proper part of its front portions with the vertical plate B, extending from one side of the device to the other, and having on the rear side of its upper edge the guide 0, at one end of which'a portion is removed to allow the hook K to pass over the upper edge of the plate B, while at the other end the guide 0 is cut by the diagonal slot D, forming the mouth of the recess E, which is cut in the upper part of the plate B, and increases in depth toward the wheel (3, terminating in the slot D, through which the hook K passes when the operations of paring, slicing, and coring are completed. At the center of the platform B is provided the yielding ratchet 1 secured to the platform by the screws a passing through the slots b, one of which is providedat each end of the ratchet, thus alflowing it a rocking and backward movement.

The arched spring H forces the ratchet forward, and is .secured to the platform B, ts extremities resting against the ends of the rear edge of the ratchet, the front edge of which is rounded at one end, the remainder being provided with teeth, this edge being arrangedso as to engage the arched part of the cogged guide M while the paring operation is in progress. The rear edge of the guide 0 is inclined toward the slot D, in order to diminish the traction of the hook K as affected I by the pressure of the yielding ratchet F;

thus, asthe platform q advances, the depth of the cut. of the slicing and coring knives is redused as they approach the base of the fork E.

The platform q is moved to a point opposite the open portion of the guide (3, when it is brought into a horizontal position, theguidehook K passingover the top edge of the plate B. The apple is held in the left handwith the parts thereof adjacent the stem pressed firmly against the points of the tines of the fork E, which pressure is maintained until the e base of the fork enters the aperture about thestem end of the apple, the wheel 0 having been rotated from the'time the fruit was first placed against the tines. The fruit isthus firmly secured upon the fork in position to be operated upon. The revolution of the wheel (J being continued, the operation of the pinion 0.

causes the rotation of the traveling screw F, the threads whereof acting upon the ears 12 adjacent the grooves r the platform is drawn toward the wheel 0, its rear supported by the rod o,its front by the hook K, which also holds the curves 1 firmly upon the shaft of the traveling screw. 'The movement of the platform continues, the lower inner corner of the knife Z coming in contact with the fruit, now revolving, adjacentits eyeat a point immediately adjacent the plane in which the fork E rotates; then by the operation of the abrupt arch at the end of the curved portion of the cogge'd guide M, which now ven gages the ratchet F, the head V and knife Z are forced back, but still advancing "toward the wheel 0 pass about this surface of the apple, whereby every portion of .the skin outside of the plane in which the coring-knife will operate is removed,

' the parin gs passing under the knife Z and over the roller W, which, revolving upon its axis, diminishes the friction between the fruit and device. After this abrupt curve the knife Z .reaches the flatter and more central'portions of the surface of the apple upon which it operates, owing to the cogged guide M having reached its flatter curve, with a more gentle curve, the .head V still gradually turning to-' ward thefork E, and the ratchet E yielding to the pressure of the cogged guide M. This operation continues until the more rounded fork E, and the outer (now inner) corner of the-knife Z to a point immediately 'adjacent the junction of the tines of the fork E with the head k, thus removing all the skin from the stem end of the fruit outside the head k, which completes the operation of paring.

In the above operation, the movement of the cog 'M on the pivot 2 has contracted the spring 20 about the stud w; hence, as, when the above operation is ended, the teeth N have ceased to engage the teeth of the ratchet F, the spring w acts, rotating the cogged guide M until the stud y comes in contact with the shoulder 12. Almost simultaneously with the completion of the operation of paring, the edge of the slicing-knife H first comes in contact with the fruit,;which, moving againsta cutting-edge, is cut spirally to a point near its center. The part thus out being, as the apple rotates, forced upward along the side of the slicing-knife is brought in contact with the inclined cutting-edge of the coring-knife I at a draw-cut, whereby the sliced portion of the .apple is severed or trimmed from the portions about the center of the apple, leaving the core and those portions of the apple between the lower edge of the coring-knife I and the fork E adhering to the fork, which portions, by the decreasing depth of the cuts of the knives H and I, owing to the lessening traction of the hook K, are formed into a cylinder, tapering from the part at the head of the forkto the part above the tines. Thus the friction of the operation of coring is greatly reduced, the spirally-sliced portion of the apple being-severed from the' core instead of the knife pass,

ing directly through the fruit.

7 By the above arrangement the only bearing upon the cutting-edge of the coring-knife is a surface equal to the thickness of the spiral slice; thus the danger of breaking the coringknife is effectually guarded against, and the coring-edge being inclined and. arched prevents the spiral slice breaking when cored.

The operation of slicing and coring continues until the coring-edge passes the point opposite the head it of the fork E, thus cutting the spiral slice clear from the core.. Immediately after the last'operation is over the hook K rides up theincliued portion of the diagonal portion of the slot D, and being pressed its spring, as the thereon by the action of platform q moves toward the wheel 0 defleets the head V toward the front until the hook K reaches the center of the diagonal slot D, when the specific gravity of the mechanisms upon the platform q preponderating toward the front, the hook K is drawn through the slot D, and the platform q and its attachments fall over upon the guide-rod n, thus disengaging the grooves r and permitting the platform q and its attachments to be slid upon the rods 10 and o to .the other end of the device, where they may be restored to their initial position, as above set forth.

The cylindrical section of fruit remaining upon the fork E should be removed when the platform q is in its depressed position, which may be effected by grasping the section with one hand and slightly rotating the wheel 0 in a direction opposite that above followed with the other.

It is obvious that the spiral fork-may be removed, andone having straight or other tines substituted; the spiral form is, however, preferred as holding the fruit more securely. The blade L may be arranged to cut the fruit in three or more sections by iucreasin g its number of cutting-edges, or placing an inoutting-edge or blade on the other or on another side of the stem I. The roller W should be made of anti-friction material.

It is also evident that the teeth N may be dispensed with, the essential feature of this elementof theinvention being that the coggedguide ELwhether provided with the teeth N or not, be a aped so as to cause the knife Z to more on a line corresponding generally with one-half of the periphery of the vertical central plane of he fruit to be operated upon. Thus the fruit to be pared is the true index as to the form. for the edge of the cogged guide M, which comes in contact with the yielding ratchet F, which latter element may be made without teeth, as any yielding elastic surface answers the purpose this device.

What we claim as our invention, and desire te ecure by Letters Patent, is-- 1. The guide M of a paring-knife, formed according to the contour of the fruit to be operated upon, substantially as set forth.

2. The double-spiral fork E, as and for the purpose shown and described.

3. The convex friction-roller W, in combination with the knife Z, substantially as shown and described.

4. The cogged guide M, supportingaparingknife, rotated by means of a yielding ratchet, F, substantially as shown and described.

5. The combination of the yielding ratchet F, cogged guide M, standard B, spring S, and knife Z, substantially as shown and described.

6. The combination of the yielding ratchet F, cogged guide M, standard R, spring 8, knife Z, spring 10, stud y, and shoulder 'v,.substantially as shown and described.

7. The combination of the yielding ratchet F, cogged guide M, standard R, spring S, knife Z, spring w,'stud 3 shoulder c, traveling screw F, and rod 0, substantially as shown and described.

8. The combination of the hook K, guide C, and slot D, substantially as shown and described.

9. The combination of the platform (1, rod 0, and traveling screw F, substantially as shown and described.

10. The combination of the arched .coringknife I and slicing-knife H, substantially as shown and described.

. 11. The combination of the coring-knife I, slicing-knife H, hook K, and guide 0, substantially as shown and described.

12. The combination of the adjustable rest U, cogged guide, M, and arm T, substantially as shown and described.

In testimony that we claim the foregoing improvements in machines for paring, slicing, coring, and dividing apples and other fruit, as above described, we have hereunto set our hands and seals this first day of May, 1873.

JOHN STEWART. [n s.] WELL CAMPBELL. in. s.l Witnesses:

THEODORE 0. POLING, J. N. CARTER. 

